A lime is its own citrus fruit, not an unripe lemon. Taporo brings sharp juice to Polynesian food and drink.
- Local names
- Taporo (Society Islands), Hitoro (Marquesas Islands), Tapogo (Austral Islands)
- Habitat
- Motu and shore
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Biogeographical status
- Polynesian introduction (legacy inventory)
- Life form
- Tree
- Abundance
- Cultivated only on Onetahi
- Ecosystem
- Garden
About this species
The lime described here belongs to the acidic lime group, distinct from sweet limes. It is a small, thorny evergreen tree with dense dark-green foliage, sensitive to cold. Its small, rounded fruits contain seeds and juicy, acidic flesh.
Citrus classification is complicated by frequent hybridisation. The guide discusses Citrus, Fortunella, which includes kumquats in older classifications, and Poncirus, whose fruits are not normally eaten, within the Rutaceae family. These names record the botanical framework used by the source.
Lime juice is widely used in Polynesian dishes and drinks. The guide also records traditional diuretic, antibacterial, and antiseptic uses, including applications after coral injuries, alongside dental hygiene and natural deodorants. These are descriptions of practices, not recommendations for treating wounds. Citrus fruits also figure in the history of preventing scurvy on long voyages.
